Charging stations, connectors, and cables could soon be replaced by more convenient wireless devices.
The inductive wireless charging industry is finally on track to create an entire ecosystem of components that can charge car batteries without a physical connection — using an oscillating magnetic field and the principle of electromagnetic induction.
The basis of the new standards — in addition to the unified wireless charging standard announced in 2020 and the initial recommendations adopted in 2016 — is the so-called Differential Inductive Positioning System (DIPS), which uses a low-intensity magnetic field with multiple smaller coils. The device recognizes multiple ground nodes and helps the car align precisely with the charging pad, despite the different heights of the cars.
The publication of the standards was announced last week by SAE International, the same organization that completed the development of the Tesla-based NACS charging interface. According to SAE, the new devices can be used not only to charge vehicles, but also to transfer energy stored in batteries back to the home or to the grid. The latter is relevant for hybrids.
SAE completed the methodology for DIPS back in November last year. Now that the results are becoming a standard, it opens up new opportunities to create a wide range of components and accessories for wireless charging of electric vehicles, including parking lot chargers, vehicle units, and fleet systems, all with a high degree of confidence that these systems will be universally compatible.